Cigar-shaping machine



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C HERNSHEIM CIGAR SHAPING MACHINE.

Patented Oct. 16,1894.

No Model.) 4 Shets-Sheet 2.

0. HERNSHEIM. CIGAR SHAPING MACHINE;

No. 527,689. Patented 001;. 16, 1894.

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0. HERNSHEIM. CIGAR SHAPING MACHINE.

No. 527,689. Patented Oct. 16,1894.-

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(No Model.) 4 Sheets-Sheet 4;

0; HERNSHEIM. UIGAR SHAPING MACHINE. N0."527,689. PatentedOot. 16, 1894.

IIibuas as: j mwiztor QM, fgarleaflermzfiiva y 2 UNITED S A ES PATENT O FICE.

CHARLES HERNSHEIM, OF NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA.

CIGAR-SHAPING MACHINE.

SPECIFIGATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 527,689, dated October 16,1894.

Application filed May 19, 189?:- Serial No.511,815- (No model.)

a citizen of the United States, residing at New Orleans, in the parish of Orleans and State of Louisiana, have invented new and useful Improvements in Cigar-Shaping Machines, of which the following is a specification.

sired form, and subsequently provided with wrappers by layingnthe fillers bias or diagonally upon strips of tobacco leaf and rolling and securing the latter.

The chief object of my invention is to provide a new and improved machine, whereby,

the bunches or fillers may be successively introduced into the molds and molded or shaped, and successively carried or delivered to the roller or operator for the application of the wrappers.

The invention also has for its object to conveniently and rapidly mold or shape the bunches or fillers and secure accurately operating mechanical devices, whereby each cigar-bunch or filler is pressed independently and immediately carried to the roller orvoperator for the application of the wrappers.

The invention also has for its object to provide novel, simple, and efiicient means, whereby cigar bunches of any desired shape, form or configuration may be molded through the medium of interchangeable bunch or fillermolds adapted to receive the bunches or fillers and mold or press the same while they are being carried to the roller or operator who applies the wrappers.

The invention also has for its object to pro: vide a new and improved machine particularly designed to be arranged between the bunch-maker or the operator who prepares the bunches or fillers, and the roller or oper ator who rolls on the wrapper after the bunch has been properly shaped or pressed, whereby.

a bunch may be placed in the mold nearest and most convenient to the bunch-maker and molded or'shaped in transit to the roller or operator who applies the wrapper.

The invention also has for its object to provide a rotating table of large diameter which carries the bunches in a horizontal plane from the bunch-maker to the roller while the bunch I is under pressure, whereby the bunch-maker is enabled to place the bunches in the molds at one side of the apparatus and the roller removes the molded or shapedbunches from the machine opposite the bunch-maker, thus avoiding one interfering with the other, and enabling cigars of any desired shape to be very rapidly, economically, and accurately In the manufacture of cigars, the bunches or fillers are molded or shaped into the'demanufactured.

The invention also has for its object to provide novel means, whereby the upper moldsections or covers are lifted or raised the instant they are released from the lower moldsections.

The invention also has for its object to enable the molds to be readily removed and other molds arranged in'their place, for the purpose of manufacturing cigars of any form or shape within reasonable limits.

The invention also has for its object to provide new and improved means for varying the pressure on the bunches and compensating for any variation or wear in the molds.

The invention consists essentially in the combination of a table or frame adapted to be rotated in a horizontal plane and provided with a series of lower mold-sections, and pivotally mounted levers carrying upper moldsections or covers and adapted to be lowered upon said lower mold-sections, so that the cigar bunchesor fillers can be successively introduced into the lower mold-sections at one side of the machine, the upper mold-sections or covers lowered and secured to efiect the molding and shaping of the bunches or fillers, and the latter carried in a circular path by the rotating movement of the table or frame for delivery to the roller or operator who applies the wrappers.

The invention also consists in the'combination with a rotatable table or frame carrying mold-sections, of pivotally mounted levers or arms carrying mold-sections or covers and adapted to swing to and from the mold-see tions on the table or frame, securing devices for holding the mold-sections or covers carried by the levers in operative connection .7

IGO

when the said securing devices are released. 1

The invention also consists in the combina tion of a horizontal table or frame, adapted to be intermittently rotated, and provided with an annular series of lower mold-sections, a series of swinging levers or arms carrying upper mold-sections or covers, securing devices for holding the upper mold-sections in operative connection with the lower moldsections, and springs suitably arranged and operating to automatically raise the levers or arms and the mold-sections carried thereby when the said securing devices are released.

The invention also consists in the combination of a rotatable table or frame provided with a series of mold-sections, a series of pivotally mounted levers carrying mold-sections or covers, securing devices for holding the mold-sections of the levers in operative connection with the mold-sections of the table or frame, means for automatically moving the lovers and the mold-sections carried thereby away from the mold-sections of the table or frame when said securing devices are-released, and a lever-stop arranged in the path of the levers and common to all of them for limiting their movement in a direction away from the mold-sections of the table or frame.

The invention also consists of certain other features and combination or arrangement of parts hereinafter described and claimed, reference being made to the accompanying drawings, in which Figure 1 is a top plan view, partly broken away, of a machine constructed in accordance with my invention. Fig. 2 is a vertical central sectional view of the same. Fig. 3 is a detail perspective view of the rotatable carrier on which the swinging levers are pivotally mounted. Fig. 4 is a detail perspective view of the sleeve on which the table or frame carrying the lower mold-sections is mounted. Fig. 5 is a detail perspective view of one of the levers and upper mold-sections or covers. Fig. 6 is a longitudinal sectional view of the same. Fig. 7 is a transverse sectional view of the, same. Fig. 8 is a plan view of the rotating table or frame, omitting the lower moldsections; and Fig. 9 is a plan view of the base frame or wheel hereinafter explained.

In order to enable those skilled in the art to make and use my invention, I will now describe the same, referring to the drawings, wherein- The numeral 1 indicates a pedestal or support of any suitable construction, having a vertical shaft or spindle 2 rising from the center thereof and preferably secured in position by screwing the lower end ofthe shaft or spindle into a screw-socket 3 in the pedestal or support. The upper end portion of the shaft or spindle is reduced in diameter and provided with upper and lower annular grooves 4 and 5, and on the shaft or spindle is mounted a rotatable externally screwthreaded sleeve 6, resting against the pedestal or support, and having on its lower side a circular collar or hub 7, on which is centrally mounted a horizontal base frame or wheel 8, adapted to rotate on the said collar or hub. The sleeve constitutes a bearing for a horizontal table or frame 9, preferably in the form of a disk and provided with a central hub 10, adapted to receive the sleeve, so

that the disk-table or frame rests against the base of the sleeve. The hub 10 is internally screw-threaded to screw upon the threads of the sleeve 6, and said hub is provided With radial flanges 12, connected by a clampingscrew 13, whereby the hub can be rotatably clamped to the sleeve, and with the latter be rotated intermittently in a horizontal plane on the shaft or spindle 2 as an axis.

The disk-table or frame 9 is designed to receive and support a series of mold-sections, which are preferably provided in any suitable manner in a wooden or other annulus or ring 14-, detachably mounted on the table or frame,so that it can be removed and another annulus or ring having mold-sections of different contour or shape substituted therefor.

The sleeve 6 is provided with an unthreaded upper end or head 15 having a series of recesses or holes 16, adapted to receive a suitable instrument, for the purpose of rotating the sleeve while the disk-table or frame 9 is held stationary, whereby the latter can be raised or lowered according to the direction in which the sleeve 6 is rotated, the purpose of which adjustment is to vary the pressure on the cigar bunches or fillers, and compensate for any variation or Wear in the molds, as will more fully hereinafter appear.

The shaft or spindle 2 is provided above the sleeve 6 with a rotatable carrier 17, preferably made in the form of a tube or sleeve with a laterally projecting disk-flange 18 at its upper end, and a series of radial lugs 19 at its lower end. The lugs 19 are provided with perforations 20, Fig. 3, to receive the pivot-pins or bolts 21 of vertically swinging levers 22 which are mounted at one end on the pivot-pins or bolts 21, and carry at their opposite or outer ends the upper mold-sections or covers 23.

The lugs 19 are arranged in the staggered position represented in Figs. 2 and 3, and the construction is such that the levers may be swung down, as indicated by full lines in Fig. 2, so that the upper mold-sections or covers 23 operate in connection with the lower moldsections on the ring 14, to mold or shape the cigar-bunches or fillers.

The disk-flange 18 is provided with an annular row of perforations 24K, Fig. 3, to receive the upper hooked ends of spiral or other suitable springs 25, which, at their lower ends, are hooked or otherwise engage with the levers 22, so that when the upper mold-sections are free from restraint, the levers will be automatically raised until they strike the lower edge of a hell or dome-shaped lever-stop 26, which is suitably mounted on the reduced upper extremity of the shaft or spindle 2, in such manner that it can be held in the position indicated by full lines, Fig. 2, to

stop the levers in one position, as indicated by dotted lines, or moved vertically to the position indicated by dotted lines, for permitting the levers to swing nearer the axis of the shaft or spindle 2, and thus enable the annular series of mold-sections, formed in'the annulus or ring 14, to be raised vertically from the machine, and another annulus or ring having mold-sections of difierent contour or shape lowered in a position on the rotating disk-table or frame 9. By this means it is possible to conveniently and quickly change the lower mold-sections, in order to vary the shape or configuration of the cigarbunches or fillers for the purpose of manufacturing cigars of any form or shape within reasonable limits. This object is facilitated by constructing the upper mold-sections or covers 23, so that they can be readily removed and replaced, for which purpose the, upper mold-sections 23 are dove-tailed. into connection with the'heads 27, Figs. 5, 6 and 7, of the levers 22. g

The heads 27 are each split longitudinally and obliquely as at 28 and 29, Fig. 5, to provide a gripping-jaw or portion which can be caused to firmly grip or clamp the upper mold-section or cover 23 through the medium of a clamping-screw 30, or any other contrivance suitable for the conditions required.

It'will be obvious that by loosening the clamping-screw 30, the upper mold-section 23 can be removed and another mold-section orcover, having a cavity of different contour or shape, inserted into position and clamped rigidly to the head of the lever 22.

I do not wish to be understood as confining myself to the specific means described and shown for clamping the removable and replaceable upper mold-sections or covers 23 in operative connection with the pivotally mounted levers 22, as other means for accomplishing the same purpose can be employed without altering the spirit of my in- "ention.

The lever-stop 26 is preferably in the form of a bell or cup, as clearly shown in Fig. 2, and by this construction it is common to all the pivotally'mounted levers, so that all such levers strike the stop, and arelimited in their upward swinging movements. The leverstop is provided with a suitable spring catch.

31, adapted to be operated by a finger-piece, so that when the lever-stop is in the position shown by full lines, Fig. 2, the spring-catch will engage the lower annular groove 5, and thus lock the lever-stop in position. When it is desired to elevate the lever-stop, the spring-catch is operated to release it from the groove 5, so that the lever-stop can be raised in the position indicated by dotted lines, Fig. 2, and the catch caused to engage the upper groove 4.

The construction of the catch for holding the lever-stop in its adjusted position may be variously modified, and therefore a more detailed description is deemed unnecessary.

The lever-carrier 17 is susceptible of rotating on the shaft or spindle 2, and it may be held down in proper position through the medium of a nut 32, screwed onto the shaft or spindle directly above the lever-carrier, as shown in Fig. 2. In order to compel the lever-carrier to rotate in unison with the disktable orframe 9, I provide the hub 10 with a rigidly attached arm 33 which projects up between a pair of the lugs 19, so that while the table or disk 9 can be slightly adjusted in a vertical plane, the lever-carrier 17 is caused to rotate with the table or frame, and thus preserve the levers and upper mold-sections or covers in proper position with relation to-the mold cavities or mold-sections in the annulus or ring 14.

As before stated, the recesses or holes 16 in the unthreaded upper end or' head 15 of instrument, for the purpose of'rotatihg the sleeve while the table or frame 9 is held stationary, whereby the table or frame is adjusted vertically for the purpose of varying the pressure exerted on the cigar-bunches or fillers; and'also for the purpose of-c'otnpensating for any wear in the molds or variation in their correct shape. After the table or frame 9 has been adjusted to the desired position it can be rigidly clamped to the sleeve 6 by tightening the screw 13, and then the sleeve and the table or framecan be rotated together on the vertical shaft or spindle.

WVhen the levers 22 are swung downwardly to place the upper mold-sections or covers 23 in operative relation to the lower mold-sections of the annulus or ring 14, it is necessary to secure the upper mold-sections or covers in operative connection with the lower mold-sections. To accomplish this in a very simple manner, and enable the upper mold-sections to be quickly released, I provide the head 27 of each lever 22 with a horizontal, slidable, or other suitable spring-bolt 33 having a suitable finger-piece or handle 34. The springbolt is adapted to engage the upper hook or notched head 35 of a vertical pin 36 secured to the base -frame or wheel 8, ,and rising through suitable opening in the annulus or ring 14, in such manner that when the lovers 22 are lowered to place the upper mold-sections or covers 23 upon the lower mold-sec-' tions, the spring-bolts will snap into engagement with the pins 36 andthereby secure the upper mold-sections or covers in operative connection with the lower mold sections. When it is desired to raise the upper moldsections or covers, the finger pieces or handles 34 are operated to release the spring-bolts 33 from engagement with the hooked upper ends of the pins 36, whereupon the levers 22 with the upper mold-sections will be instantly and automatically swung vertically until they strike the lever-stop 26. By this means the upper mold-sections or covers can be quickly brought down and secured in proper position to moldor shape cigar-bunches or fillers, and

the sleeve 6 are adapted to receivea suitable automatically raised the instant they are released.

I prefer to use the spring-bolts and hooked or notched pins as securing devices for holding the upper mold-sections in operative connection with the lower mold-sections, but the gist of my invention can be accomplished by any other suitable securing devices which are susceptible of being conveniently operated for the purposes stated.

The rotating base-frame or wheel 8, and the rotating table or frame 9 are preferably of skeleton form, as illustrated by Figs. 8 and 9, for the purpose of reducing weight while obtaining the requisite strength and rendering the table susceptible of easy rotation.

In the practical operation of a machine constructed in accordance with my invention, the bunch-maker who prepares the bunches, and the roller or operator who applies the wrappers, occupy positions at diametrically opposite sides of the machine or thereabout. The bunchmaker successively introduces the bunches into the lower moldsections and successively lowers the upper mold-sections and secures them in position for the purpose of molding or shaping the bunches. The table or frame is rotated one step each time a hunch is introduced, but prior to this an upper moldsection or cover is lowered into operativeconnection with the lower mold-section containing such bunch. The bunches or fillers are properly and sufiiciently molded or shaped in transit from the bunch-maker to the roller, and the latter successively releases the upper mold-sections, removes the bunches, and applies the wrappers. The instant the roller releases an upper mold-section it is swung upward against the lever-stop 26.

The improved machine is susceptible of being provided with a large number of moldsections, all of which travel a circular path and enable the bunches to be placed into position at one side of the machine and removed at the opposite side for the application of the wrappers.

It will of course be evident that the bunchmaker and the roller need not necessarily occupy diametrically opposite positions, but they should be so far separated from each other to secure the requisite time for the correct molding or shaping of the bunches while they are traversinga circular path from the bunch-maker to the roller.

The rotating table which carries the lower mold-sections is designed to be of considerable diameter and to rotate in a horizontal plane, so that it may be provided with a large number of mold-sections, and thus secure ample time for the accurate molding or shaping of the bunches under pressure in transit from one point to another in the rotation of the table or frame.

The improved construction and arrangement enables the bunch-maker to work at one side of the machine in putting in the bunches, and the roller to work at the opposite side of independently of the rotatable table or frame,

and pivotally mounted levers radiating from said lever-support, provided with upper moldsections or covers and adapted to be lowered upon said lower mold-sections so that the cigar bunches or fillers can be successively introduced into the lower mold-sections at one side of the machine, the upper mold-sections or covers lowered and secured to effect the molding or shaping of the bunches or fillers, and the latter carried in a circular path for delivery to the roller or operator who applies the wrappers, substantially as described.

2. The combination of a table or frame rotatable in a horizontal plane and provided with a series of lower mold-sections, pivotally mounted levers carrying upper mold-sections or covers and adapted to be lowered upon said lower-mold-sections, securing devices for holding the upper mold-sections or covers in operative connection with the lower mold-sections,and means for automatically swinging the levers and upper mold-sections or covers in a vertical plane when the securing devices are released, substantially as described.

3. The combination with a rotatable table or frame carrying mold-sections,of pivotally mounted levers or arms carrying mold-see tions or covers and adapted to swing to and from'the mold-sections on the table or frame, securing devices for holding the mold-sections or covers carried by the lovers in operative connection with the mold-sections on the table or frame, and means for automatically moving the levers and the mold-sections carried thereby from the mold-sections on the table or frame when the said securing devices are released, substantially as described.

4. The combination of a horizontal, intermittently rotatable table or frame provided with an annular series of lower mold-sections, a series of pivotally mounted levers carrying upper mold-sections or covers, securing devices for holdingthe upper mold-sections in operative connection with the lower mold-sections, and springs suitably arranged and op erating to automatically raise the levers or arms and the mold-sections or covers carried thereby when the said securing devices are released, substantially as described.

5. The combination of a rotatable table or frame provided with a series of mold-sections, a series of movable levers carrying mold-sectionsor covers, securing devices for holding the mold-sections of the levers in operative connection with the mold-sections of the table or frame, means for automatically moving the levers and the mold-sections carried thereby away from themold-sections of the table or frame when said secu ring devices are released, and a lever-stop for limiting the movement of the levers in a direction away from the moldsections of the table or frame, substantially as described.

6. The combination of a rotatable table or frame provided with a series of mold-sections, a series of swinging levers carrying mold-sections or covers, securing devices for holding the mold-sections of the levers in operative connection with the mold-sections of the table or frame, means for automatically moving the levers and the mold-sections carried thereby away from the mold-sections of the table or frame when the securing devices are released, and a lever-stop arranged in the path of the levers and common to all of them for limiting their movement in a direction away from the mold-sections of the table or frame, substantially as described.

7. The combination of a horizontal intermittently rotatable table or frame provided with a series of mold-sections, a rotatable lever-carrier mounted above the table or frame, a series of swinging levers pivotally mounted on said carrier and provided with mold-sections or covers, securing devices for holding the mold-sections of the levers in operative connection with the mold-sections of the table or frame, a lever-stop arranged above and common to all the levers for limiting them in their upward swinging movements,'and means for automatically raising the levers and the mold-sections carried thereby when said securing devices are released, substantially as described.

8. The combination of a suitable pedestal or support having a vertical shaft or spindle, a table or frame rotatable on the shaft or spindle and provided with a circular series of mold-sections, a lever-carrier also rotatable on the shaft or spindle, a series of levers pivoted to and radiating from the lever-carrier and provided at their outer end portions with mold-sections or covers adapted to be lowered upon the mold-sections of the table or frame, a series of suitable springs connected at one end with the lever-carrier and at the other end with the levers for automatically raising the latter, and suitable means for securing the mold-sections or covers of the levers in oted to the lever-carrier and provided with mold-sections or covers, securing devices for holdingthe mold-sections or'covers of the levers in operative connection with the moldsections of the table or frame, springs connected at one end with the lever-carrier and at the other end with the levers for automatically raising the latter when the securingdevices are released, and a lever-stop for limiting the swinging movement of the levers, substantially as described.

10. The combination of a rotatable table or frame having acircular series of mold-sections removably mounted thereupon, a rotatable lever-carrier having aseries of radiating pivoted levers provided with mold-sections or covers, means for holding the mold-sections or covers of the levers in operative connection with the mold-sections of the table or frame, springs for automatically swinging the lovers and their mold-sections or covers away from the mold-sections of the table or frame, and a lever-stop adjustable to different positions for enabling the levers to be swung approximately close together so that the circularseries of mold-sections of the table or frame can be removed and other mold-sections placed in position, substantially as described.

11. The combination of a pedestal or support having'a vertical shaft or spindle, a table or frame rotatable on the shaft or spindle, a lever-carrier also rotatable on the shaft or spindle, a series of mold-sections removably mounted on the table or frame, a series of levers pivoted to the lever-carrier and provided with mold-sections or covers, securing devices for holding the mold-sections or covers of the lovers in operative connection with the mold-sections of the table or frame, springs for swinging the levers and their mold-sections or covers away from the mold-sections of the table or frame when the securing devices are released, a lever-stop adjustable vertically on the shaft or spindle, and means for retaining the lever-stop in the position to which adjusted, substantially as described.

12. The combination with a rotatable table having a series of mold-sections arranged thereupon, of a lever-carrier, a series of levers pivotedto the lever-ca rrier and provided with heads, mold-sections or covers detachably mounted on the heads of the levers, and clamping devices for clamping the mold-sections or covers to the heads of the levers, substantially as described.

13. The combination with a rotatable table or frame having a circular series of mold-sections removably arranged thereupon, of a lever-carrier having a series of pivoted radiating levers provided with heads, mold-sections or covers dove-tailed to the heads of the levers, and clamping devices for clamping the heads of the levers to the mold-sections or covers, substantially as described.

14. The combination with a rotatable table having a series of removable mold-sections, of a rotatable lever-carrier, a series of lovers pivoted to the carrier and having heads provided with elastic-jaws, mold-sections or covers engaging the lever heads and the elastic-jaws thereof, and means for clamping said elasticjaws into engagement with the mold-sections 0r covers, substantially as described.

15. The combination with a rotatable table or frame having removable mold-sections, of pivoted levers having heads provided with elastic-jaws, mold-sections or covers dovetailed to the heads of the levers, and clamping screws for clamping the. elastic-jaws of the heads in engagement with the mold-sections or covers, substantially as described.

16. The combination with a rotatable table or frame provided with mold-sections, of a rotatable lever-carrier, means for adjusting the table or frame to and from the lever-carrier, a connection between the table or frame and'the lever-carrier for rotating them in unison, and a series of levers pivoted to the levercarrier and provided with mold-sections or covers, substantially as described.

17. The combination with a pedestal or support having a shaft or spindle, a sleeve rotatable on the shaft or spindle, a table or frame adjustable on the sleeve and having moldsections, a lever-carrier mounted on the shaft or spindle, a series of levers pivoted to the lever-carrier and provided with mold-sections or covers, and securing devices for holding the m old-sections or covers of the levers in operative connection with the mold-sections of the table or frame, substantially as described.

18. The combination of a pedestal or support having a shaft or spindle, an externally screw-threaded sleeve rotatable on the shaft or spindle, a table or frame having mold-sections and an internally threaded hub engaging and adjustable uponthe threaded sleeve, a lever-carrier, a series of levers pivoted to the carrier and provided with mold-sections or covers, and securing devices for holding the mold-sections or covers of the levers in operative connection with the mold-sections of the table or frame, substantially as described.

19. The combination of a rotatable baseframe or wheel having catch posts, a table or frame having mold sections and rotatable with the base-frame or wheel, a lever-support, and swinging levers connected with the leversupport and having mold-sections or covers provided with latch-bolts to engage the catchposts, substantially as described.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and afiixed my seal in presence of two subscribing witnesses.

CHAS. HERNSHEIM. [L. 3.]

\Vitnesses:

O. AUSERT, HENRY O. Wmoz. 

